God has created in us all appetites, hungers and thirstings whose satisfactions bring health and right-ness to the body. Jesus told his disciples, "Blessed" or happy "are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied." How does that play out? Keith Pond explains the important of seeking righteousness for our salvation but also for our walk with Christ even after coming to a saving faith.

Nothing leaves more devastation and heartache in its wake than does suicide. As such, it is an utter delight to Satan every time another image bearer of God takes his life. But can a real Christian do such a thing? And if so, how can such a horrible thing come to pass? And most of all, where is God in all of this? Christians must turn to the light of God's word that we not be led astray when considering this horrible topic. Keith Pond walks us through these waters this morning.

In contrast with the unbiblical book of the same title, God does provide us with guidance in his word, biblical guidance, for leading our best possible life before we enter glory. The truth is, we are all going to die. What really matters when we rise in the morning and put our heads on our pillows at night? Without God's word, it's a crapshoot. But we have God's word. Will we heed his counsel?

Solomon here warns us that since we approach the living God righteous and holy, we ought guard our words and fear if we are unfaithful to the things we have professed or vowed. Is God really that much of a stickler over the things that we say. Pastor Mollenkopf highlights from Ecclesiastes that God isn't being nit-picky, but he is upholding his righteous standard that he expects of all his image-bearers.

Many like alone time. Some like to the point of living in isolation from many human interactions. But God's word tells us it is not good to be alone. He has created us for fellowship and communion with one another and with him. Christ has fixed the brokenness that comes in all relationships so that we might forever live in harmony, both in this life and in the life to come.

Solomon wrestles with how God makes everything beautiful in its time in light of the fact that injustice often seems to reign in and around every corner. Yet though injustice seems to reign under the sun, God promised to make all things right. And so he will. Jeremy Mollenkopf explains.

"Blessed are the meek," declares God the Son, "for they will inherit the Earth." Meek? Rhymes with "weak." Is that really an attribute we want to have? God in his word to us, his image bearers, says, "Absolutely!" Keith Pond opens up what it means to be meek, citing the examples of Moses and Jesus himself, and then delves into Psalm 37 to help us understand how we are to live this out in our daily lives.

Solomon wants us to know that the ever-rolling stream of time will drown you if you fight to control it, but if you will entrust your times in God’s hands the journey will be beautiful. Pastor Mollenkopf opens up this well-known passage to the saints.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus exhorts his disciples and the crowds that were listening that "Blessed"--happy--"are those who mourn..." Why? "...for they will be comforted." Implication? Mourning is a good thing. But who wants to mourn? And why would we mourn? Aren't we supposed to "rejoice always?" (1 Thessalonians 5:16) Keith Pond helps us grasp the beauty of and need for mourning in this broken world, how God works in the grief we bear, promising one day to heal the brokenness bringing comfort to his children.